Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

"So, Lucas, this will be your new temporary home," said the man, opening the bedroom door in front of him and then leading Lucas into his room.

Lucas took a step inside, observing every detail. The walls were an impeccable white. Simple and without distractions. The room had the essentials: a bed with clean, folded clothes, a study table positioned next to the window, from where he could see the Brighton CT in the distance. There was also a dark wooden closet, spacious enough to store clothes and equipment. Nothing extravagant, but adequate.

"Here at the Seyek Institute, we ensure everything is organized for you to focus on what really matters: improving yourself as an athlete. As you can see, we try to keep things functional," continued the man, watching Lucas' reaction as he explored his surroundings. "The focus here is on maintaining a routine and environment that helps you evolve, both mentally and physically. The Seyek Institute and Brighton FC share a solid partnership; we provide dormitory facilities and schooling, basically what a teenager needs, while they take care of the professional side."

Lucas nodded. Over the last few days, he had already heard about the structure offered by the Institute, because he had talked to Lucy through messages and she studied here. So he already knew a bit about things.

The man next to him, wearing a polo shirt with the institute's emblem embroidered on it, watched him open the cupboard doors for a few moments before continuing.

"We've done it modestly so that each student at the institute can decorate their own space with their own personality. It's a temporary home, but it doesn't have to look like one. After all, here live hundreds of promising young people from all over the UK and even some other countries. We try to provide a space where you can develop not just as athletes, but as people."

There was a small shelf above the study table, with enough space for a few books and personal mementos. Lucas imagined he could put photos there, perhaps some souvenirs that would bring a sense of familiarity.

"Yeah, I heard some of that while I was talking to Lucy." Lucas said, turning to the man.

The man raised his eyebrows for a moment. "Oh, so you already know Lucy?" he asked, with a slight tone of surprise in his voice.

"Yes, I met her by chance on the day of the screening at Brighton."

"Well, she's one of our best students, someone who certainly represents the spirit of the Institute. It's no surprise that you've already crossed paths; Lucy usually likes to make friends."

The man, sensing Lucas's interest, continued, assuming a slightly more relaxed posture when he saw that the young man was settling in.

"As for using the room, try to keep it as organized and clean as possible. And as for the rules, there are a few that must be observed carefully. Dormitory buildings are divided into male and female. We encourage students to interact, but there are specific restrictions on accessing dormitories of the opposite gender. It's a measure to maintain respect for each other's space."

Lucas nodded, understanding the logic behind the rule. After all, with so many young people together, it was imaginable what could happen.

"I imagine that, with so many people here, it must be easy to get lost amid responsibilities," Lucas commented.

"Indeed." replied the man, crossing his arms. "And that's why, as well as the support of the teachers and technicians, we have more experienced mentors and psychologists. Lastly, meals are served at specific times — breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee, and dinner — in the cafeteria in the main building."

The cell phone in his pocket vibrated, and he picked it up to check, but continued to explain. "By the way, I imagine you've already received your itinerary by email. Your classes start tomorrow, okay?"

Lucas remembered the notification he had ignored on his phone while traveling from London to Brighton. Classes in the morning, training in the afternoon. That would be the routine for the first week.

Then the employee, who was staring at his cell phone screen, frowned. He took a deep breath, putting his cell phone back in his pocket, before smiling at Lucas with an expression that tried to look calm.

"Forgive me, Lucas, but something urgent has come up, and I need to deal with it right away," he said, with a sincerely apologetic tone. "You're oriented now, so explore the campus. There are common areas and living spaces you can get to know, but the essentials I've already shared." He held out his hand, as if for a formal farewell. "Welcome to the Seyek Institute. I hope you have an enriching experience."

Lucas shook the man's hand firmly. "Thank you very much, sir."

As the employee left, closing the door softly behind him, Lucas let out a slow breath, finally allowing himself to relax and assimilate. Moving towards the bed, he noticed the spotless sheets and folded covers laid out.

"Ahh..." He yawned and let his suitcase fall beside the bed as he lay down. "I'll pack my things later, because I'm too sleepy to do it now."

Lucas blinked a few times, his eyes still heavy from the fatigue of the long journey from Japan to England. He let his body sink a little deeper into the soft mattress. The quiet room, the bed smelling of fresh sheets, and the fresh mid-afternoon air coming in through the window gave him the feeling that he could finally rest, disconnecting from everything for a few hours.

He wasn't sure how long it had been since he had closed his eyes. At some point during the early hours of the morning, the subtle wind of the English night blew through the ajar window, bringing a slight chill that made Lucas curl up under the covers. But he was so exhausted that he didn't bother getting up to close it; all he wanted to do was sleep.

The next morning, it was the insistent, annoying sound of the alarm on his cell phone that brought him back to reality.

Lucas reached out for the device on the bedside table without opening his eyes. When he finally located the phone and brought it close to his face, the glowing numbers on the screen immediately woke him up: 06:45. His heart raced, and he sat up in bed, sleep squeezed out of his mind in a rush of adrenaline. His classes would start in fifteen minutes!

"Damn... already?!"

In his head, he had just gone to bed, but the jetlag was unforgiving. London was eight time zones away from Japan, and his body still hadn't adjusted.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om